The Day Release Course - before you start...

A collection of information for GP Registrars joining our course.

The website, Yahoo group and e-mails

• This website is central to our Day Release Course - there's loads of useful information on it and we recommend that you get to know your way around it. Click here to access the Home Page for the DRC.
• All GPRs are automatically put into our e-mail group. All information about the course is sent via e-mail - we don't send paper! During term-time, you will need to check your e-mail account at least twice a week.
• If you click on "Reply" when answering an e-mail that's been sent through the Yahoo group, your reply will go to all 40-odd members of the group. If you don't want that to happen, click on "Forward" instead.
• Hotmail accounts don't work well with the Yahoo group. We recommend that you use a different account, for instance your surgery e-mail account, or set up a free one through Yahoo.
• Most weeks there will be some pre-course preparation for you to do. This will be sent by e-mail and a copy linked to the Spring/Summer 2006 timetable.
• Important - if you haven't received an e-mail about pre-course preparation, check the website - e-mails sometimes get lost, and if there is any preparation it will be on the website. If there's nothing there either, e-mail to find out why.
• Practice web servers don't automatically update web pages - if in doubt, press the F5 key to "refresh" the webpage. The latest version should then appear.

Are GPRs involved in planning the term?

Yes!

• Two GPRs are involved in detailed pre-term planning.
• At the start of term, GPRs choose the theme subjects for that term's groupwork. The choices are made from our GP Registrar Curriculum, which is based on the MRCGP grid. It will help you to familiarise yourselves with the curriculum before the start of term.
• Half of each week's groupwork covers problems or issues raised by the group members.
• For morning workshops, you will be asked what specifically you would like to be covered.
• Each day you will be asked to complete a feedback sheet - your responses to this will help us decide the content of the sessions over subsequent months.
• Towards the end of each term the GPRs are asked to consider topics for the next term.

Rota

There is a rota for soapbox, hot topics and feedback. Don't panic - new Registrars aren't usually put into this rota in the first few weeks. See the Spring/Summer 2006 timetable for details.

Important - if you will be on leave for a week when you are due to do something , it is up to you to find someone to swap with.

Attendance and punctuality

Click here for our policy on this.

Travel and subsistence claims

There will no longer be any reimbursement for travel and subsistence.

Course costs need to be approved in advance by your own Trainer and a Course Organiser.

You can download a prior approval form for study leave course costs.

Parking

Parking at the Swindon and Bath hospitals is a nightmare. Click here for Kinnary's excellent advice on this.

Annual leave, study leave and sick leave

Important - if you are unable to attend a DRC day, e-mail or phone her on 01225 824894.

Appraisal

The Course Organisers will join Bill Irish in doing the 3-month appraisals. This will be for GPRs in their first 6 months (see term timetable).

Performers' list

We often receive calls from SHOs regarding the Performers list. Although the practices should provide their new Registrar with all the info about this, some fail to do so.

These are the contact details of the person who deals with the Performers list at each PCT. This may be useful for the Regs/SHOs to apply for an application or to chase up any queries they may have regarding the process.

Practices within the patch of West Wilts, Kennet and North Wilts, South Wilts and Swindon:

Gill Nee (dept manager) - 01380 733 859

Sally Collier and Caroline Hanrahan - 01380 733 859 (deal with the application forms)

http://www.westwiltshirepct.nhs.uk/About/whereweare.htm

BANES PCT:

Kristie Anderson - 0117 900 2693

http://www.banes-pct.nhs.uk

MENDIP PCT:

June Kitchen - 01823 344 212

Whom to contact

For administrative enquiries and to tell us about being on leave, e-mail or phone her on 01225 824894.

For career advice or comments about the DRC, speak to your group leader or any of the Course Organisers. If it is urgent, Paula can arrange an appointment or give you a phone number.

For queries about the website, e-mail

 

Written by:    Michael Harris

Last update: 29 August 2007